A few days ago, I moved 10 bitcoins, held securely for 11 years, from my Bitcoin Core wallet to Binance. In return, I received $90,000. It’s been an emotional journey, and while I’m not a writer by nature, I felt compelled to document this moment.
The Start of a New Era
Back in January 2013, I left a decade-long corporate career to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. At the same time, I was completing my doctoral studies at Shenzhen University, focusing on TCP/IP optimization and acceleration—a pressing need in the 2G/GPRS era. By mid-2013, however, the emergence of 3G technology rendered my research less relevant. This pivot led me to explore two areas:
1. Entertainment drones: Autonomous devices that could follow users to capture dynamic perspectives.
2. Bitcoin: A burgeoning digital currency I stumbled upon while researching encryption technologies.
An article about early Bitcoin pioneers and their astronomical returns caught my attention. Intrigued, I delved into Satoshi Nakamoto's white paper and was captivated by the brilliance of decentralized currency. My research direction shifted to Bitcoin anonymity and anti-anonymity technologies.
The First Investment
In July 2013, I discussed Bitcoin with renowned angel investor Mai Gang, whose financial acumen deepened my conviction in its potential. His prediction that Bitcoin could one day become a national reserve currency was far ahead of its time. Motivated by our conversation, I liquidated my stock portfolio and purchased 800 bitcoins at $90 each.
These 10 bitcoins were a fraction of that investment. Over the years, most of my holdings were lost or spent on business ventures. Like many, I learned the hard way: “The first bitcoin you own is often the most you’ll ever own.”
Safeguarding a Fortune
In early 2014, I used 10 bitcoins to trade altcoins, eventually multiplying them sixfold. To secure my initial investment, I transferred 12 bitcoins to a Bitcoin Core wallet protected by a 26-character password. Foolishly, I introduced intentional errors into the saved password, confident I’d remember the variations. I was wrong.
For seven long years, those 12 bitcoins lay inaccessible. At the time, their value seemed negligible, and I lacked the motivation to recover them.
Rediscovery Amid Adversity
By 2020, financial misfortunes and mounting debts forced me to disband my business ventures. Left with nothing but time, I turned my focus to recovering my lost wallet—a task perfectly suited to my background in network security and cryptography.
Using C/C++, I created a custom password-cracking program tailored to my memory and dictionary of possible combinations. A month of relentless computation paid off: the wallet was unlocked, and the long-lost 12 bitcoins were recovered. The wave of emotion was indescribable. Seven years of longing and regret vanished in an instant.
I used 2 bitcoins to pay outstanding wages, leaving 10 untouched—a modest remnant of my once-significant holdings.
Lessons in Restraint
From $90 to $90,000 per bitcoin—a thousandfold return in 11 years. The journey taught me not to chase the last dollar, as greed often leads to greater loss.
Entering the Recovery Business
This experience revealed a niche opportunity: cryptocurrency wallet recovery. As Bitcoin’s value soared, forgotten wallets became a treasure trove for their owners—if only they could access them.
The Unique Challenges of Wallet Recovery
The business requires a rare blend of skills:
1. Integrity: The immense wealth involved tests human nature. Trustworthiness is paramount.
2. Independence: Teams introduce risks; recovery work is best done solo.
3. Safety: Physical and digital security is essential to avoid scams or threats.
Why I Excel in Recovery
1. Experience: With a Ph.D. in cryptography and 11 years in blockchain, I’m both technically skilled and ethically grounded.
2. Independence: I operate alone, with temporary assistance for non-critical tasks.
3. Location: Living in Singapore offers safety and trust for clients who wish to meet in person.
Armed with hundreds of GPUs and a passion for cryptographic puzzles, I built a recovery service. Unlike mining, which offers stability, wallet recovery is unpredictable and intellectually stimulating—a challenge I relish.
Transforming Lives
Over five years, I’ve witnessed life-changing moments:
A struggling single parent regaining financial stability.
A teacher of modest means buying their first car and home.
Countless clients overcoming despair to reclaim lost fortunes.
Each successful recovery reminds me of my own journey. I understand the joy of unlocking a forgotten fortune and the profound impact it can have on a person’s life.
A Farewell to My 10 Bitcoins
These 10 bitcoins, sold at $90,000 each, mark the end of a chapter. While they move on to their new owner, I’m grateful for the lessons they’ve imparted. To those still searching for lost wallets, remember: persistence pays off, and the light of recovery might be closer than you think.
This is the story of my journey with Bitcoin—an odyssey of technology, loss, recovery, and growth.
